Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-12-16

condemned and reversed as with
out authority and against the Elev'
enth amendment to the Constltu-
ton of the United States.
In view of the recent decision of
the Supreme Court of the United
States, it may be reasonable to sup
pose that the bondholders, as soon
as they consider that decision, will
be disposed to make a debt settle
ment whose obligations can be
faithfully carried out without an
increase of taxation. would sug-
gest to the General Assembly the
passage of a joint resolution sns-
pending for reasonable time the
institution of all legal proceedings
under the act passed May 18th,
1887. I have assurances which |
deem entitled to confidence that the
course | have suggested, if adopt
ed, will be attended with results
satisfactory to all concerned.
THE CODE.
Since the adjournment of the ex-
ira session Of the lest Legislature,
I am informed that the revisers of
the Code have been at work earn
estly and faithfully in preparing a
suitable index and proper digest
and caption of the different sec
tions, and reference to the statutes
ana adiudged cases. This could
not be done until after the General
Assembly had adopted the Code.
Some ineyitable delays haye occur
red in making the contracts FOR the
printing and getting reading for
the work the printing, however,
is being rapidly done and will be
completed by the 18th Of January.
The completion of this important
and useful work, in which the
whole State is so much interested,
should be the subject of cOngratu-
lation to the Legislature and the
State. Clear laws drawn in indis-
putabIe language cannot always be
enacted; their terms, however,
should he closely searched at the
time Of passage, in order tbat their
future construction may be simpl.
fed. while the interests Of'the State
demand that they be grouped and
nlaced before her citizens in the
most apparent and accessible shape.
The time for the new. Code to go
into effect should be extended be-
cause there is not interval enough
after the printing is completed to
distribute it before the date now
.designated for the laws therein to
Fbc operative.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
Your attention is specially invlt'
ed to the important Department OF
Education. Our public school svs-
tenn, as shown by official reports
for the school year closing July
31st, 1887, exhibits substantial and
healthy progress. The efficacy and
general success of system OF pop
ular education depends upon the
amount OF funds provided by law
for its support, the iudicious and
economical expenditure OF such
funds, the ability, skill and fidelity
of those charged with the immedi
ate supervision OF its operations,
and on the encouragement and
moral support accorded it by the
people. During the past year the
amount of money raised and ap-
piled to the public schools, the
number of schools opened and
teachers employed, and the number
OF pupils enrolled and the average
attendance are all greater than any
year since the system was inaugu-
rated. Information and detail and
sneclal recommendation wiIkbe con
tained in the forthcoming annual
report of the Superintendent Of
Public Instruction. The import
ance of such further Judieious AMI
friendly legislation as VIII not only
maintain but also increase the eff
CHENEY and usefulness of the sys.
ten. earnestly commends itself to
the attention of the General AS
sembly.
Reports from State institutions
for technical and higher education
exhibit an encouraging degree Of
prosperity. The financial condl
ton of some Of them has undergone
decided improvement, while the
patronage of them has been wei
sustained, and in nearly every in
stance has materially increased
The sentscholastic year is mark
ed by a decided increase in th'
number of matrlculates in almost
all of thelDsttutiOns, while in some
(, this increase is exceptionally large
| In addition to the facilities afforded
by the State for the education o
! her people, there, are a number 0
/. excellent schools and colleges con
/, ducted by private individuals ant
by the different churches. Whil
these have no connection with tn
State government, they are to b
recognized as among the effectiv
educational forces of the Common
wealth. 1t is matter of specia
qualification that an unusual dc
gree,of prosperity is attending then
during the current year. The IN
crease in the number of scholars a
sthobfs of this class Is proof of On